Sometimes with stock photography it pays to 'play it safe' and add to your portfolio with similar images to what you have done in the past. Ultimately, though, I suspect that growing your portfolio in new ways helps a lot. Mostly though - it keeps you interested. While I don't have the luxury of spending hours on every shot I really enjoy it when I have an idea and take some time out to realize it. There is some risk involved as you could spend the time and then have it rejected!

For me it is very satisfying to get shots accepted when it takes some extra work to get the images completed. The recent assignment was an example of this. In addition to the assignment photo I had accepted and the one above spurred by the assignment, I also finished two other shots that were...

I decided recently that I needed some dramatic shots that catch the eye in my portfolio. I keep reading that bright colors and eye catching thumbnails are the way to go. So on a recent family holiday I shot some pictures with this purpose in mind. Here are some of the results:

I'm happy to report that within days of uploading I'm seeing some sales of these! As well, making marginal light shots into silhouettes dramatically improved their appeal. Hope you like them...

Eye catching, no doubt! Making them into silhouettes and those rich deep colors make them striking indeed.And I read in another blog comment that you are currently in Japan! Enjoy your time here! It's a beautiful country.

Don't forget words and pictures go great together so make sure you choose some Dreamstime favorite pics to brighten your article. For inspiration, check out the hottest or the most useful blogs on the left.